Alex was a postdoctoral researcher who completed his doctoral studies in Dr. Kalan’s lab (University of Wisconsin-Madison). He is primarily interested in microbial community interactions. He grew up in Klang, Malaysia and received his BS in cellular, molecular and integrative biology from Beloit College, Wisconsin.

Karinda was an undergraduate student pursuing a BS in microbiology and global health (University of Wisconsin). She is interested in medical microbiology and the interactions between a human host and their microbiome, particularly those that can be harmful. She wants to pursue a PhD post-graduation. Karinda’s favorite part of her job is being able to explore post-graduation options and learning more about the career options she can pursue with a degree in microbiology while working with a great lab!

Lilian is currently a 4th year Life Sciences Co-op student. Her favorite part of doing her thesis in the Kalan lab is how she can focus on one topic at a time, investigate the mechanism step by step, and eventually string all the clues together to get to a conclusion. This makes her feel a sense of accomplishment, especially when she’s investigating a novel research question that people rarely touch on. Working with a group of awesome laboratory members is another cool part of her project because she knows she’ll be learning valuable things that classes won’t teach.

Microbiology is an emerging and rapidly developing discipline, and Lilian believes that studying the mechanisms of microbes has both important academic and clinical implications. She first became interested in microbiology when she did her first Co-op job as a laboratory technician testing for bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of surgical masks. It was a very interesting and memorable experience to deal with various bacterial and fungal pathogens, prepare agar plates, and count colonies. It is hard to define the reason why Lilian is interested in microbiology, but she does know that she enjoys what she is doing right now and thinks that continuing her career in microbiology in the future sounds great!

A piece of advice Lilian would give her younger self:

“Everything happened for a reason and it was all arranged to be the best. Don’t be
overly anxious, do your best and give a little patience, and you will get the fruits of your efforts. You’ve done a great job and just enjoy your precious moments.”

If brought to a deserted island, Lilian would bring

1. A water purifier that filters seawater, so she wouldn’t die of thirst or excessive salts.
2. A complete set of fire-making tools, so she can eat cooked fish and make signals to wait for rescue.
3. An iPad that never runs out of power and has downloaded all episodes of her favourite TV shows!

Outside of lab, Lilian enjoys singing and listening to a variety of songs, including popular songs, songs of musicals, folk songs, etc. because they make her feel relaxed and alive. She also loves video editing and graphic design because doing so makes her happy and allows her to develop her creativity. She likes aimlessly wandering around the city with her friends to explore surprises hidden in the streets.

Lynda is an undergraduate student double majoring in psychology and neurobiology (University of Wisconsin). She is interested in learning more about the various ways bacteria impact larger ecological scales. She hopes to pursue a career in the dermatology field.

Aamuktha is an undergraduate studying computer science at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Nikola completed her BSc (Honours, Co-operative Education) from the University of Guelph in 2019 with a specialization in microbiology. She worked under the supervision of Dr. Nicole Ricker for her master’s degree in Pathobiology (Collaborative Specialization: One Health), which she completed in 2022. After working as a laboratory technician for her previous supervisor for a few months, Nikola joined the Kalan lab in September 2022.

Nikola’s favorite part of her job is being able to remain in academia and perform research while also building her professional skills in a managerial role. She also enjoys how the members of the Kalan lab come from diverse backgrounds with different areas of specialization, so she is exposed to many new research techniques. Nikola also loves training and getting to know the undergraduate students who come into the lab, and strives to ensure that their first experiences in a research lab are positive.

When Nikola was in high school, she was fascinated to learn about the millions of molecular processes that are constantly occurring in cells. She wanted to understand how researchers came to the conclusions she was reading in her textbooks. Her interest in molecular and cellular biology led to her interest in bacteria, and she never looked back!

Nikola would like to tell the undergraduate version of herself:

“Invest more time in hobbies and courses that make you happy – you have so many resources in university to explore areas you are interested in and meet new people. Not everything you do needs to contribute directly to your end goal.”

If brought to a stranded island, Nikola would bring:

1. Snacks,
2. Sunscreen, so she could relax in the sand without burning,
3. A satellite phone, so she could call for help when her snacks/sunscreen run out and end her impromptu beach vacation

Outside of the lab Nikola likes to bake, although she hates washing dishes. She enjoys exercising and likes to try different classes – her favorite so far has been kickboxing! In her downtime, Nikola is likely taking a nap or cuddling with her cat, or both at once.

Alice’s favorite part of working in the Kalan lab is meeting fellow microbiology enthusiasts! Research can be a bit of a rollercoaster, no doubt, but the real joy kicks in when she manages to unravel the very questions she threw into the mix. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about overcoming those research hurdles and getting closer to the answers. It’s like cracking a code, and that’s what makes the journey in research so exciting!

Alice has always been curious about diseases. Using microscopes and learning about microbes in high school shaped her interest in the field. She really wanted a microscope back then but they’re pretty expensive and they didn’t have those affordable ones kids have now. Fast forward to university, taking all sorts of classes only makes her grow more fascinated by microbiology. What blows her mind is how these microscopic players influence us humans, and the fact that we can’t see it happening with our own eyes? That just amps up her curiosity. It’s like a hidden world with secrets waiting to be uncovered!

5 years ago, she felt like she couldn’t turn her science class knowledge into something bigger. 3 years ago, she tried for research opportunities but couldn’t get one. 1 year ago, Alice was standing outside of the Centre for Microbial Chemical Biology (CMCB), thinking that it’s the coolest place on campus. This year, she is working in a lab and using one of the machines in CMCB.
Life has this sneaky way of making you feel stuck and frustrated, like all your efforts aren’t paying off. But, guess what? You’ve come a long way. Those moments of feeling stagnant were just pit stops on the journey. Every baby step you took mattered, leading you to where you are now. So, Alice would say to younger Alice that when things get tough, don’t give up. You may not see it now, but you’re making progress, and every experience counts. Be grateful for what you have, keep pushing, and trust the process.

“You may be living in the dream that you used to dream of.”

If stuck on a deserted island, Alice would bring these three things:

1. Axe: Well, not just because it’s a nifty tool for tree-cutting purposes (Minecraft skills coming in handy!), but also because it doubles as a survival weapon.
2. First Aid Kits with Emergency Medications: The island life could get a bit wild, and accidents happen. Plus, when you’re on a deserted island, being your own pharmacist is a bit tricky. The medical backup can come in handy to survive when you get sick.
3. Wilderness Survival Pro (aka a Cool Island Buddy): Sure, this person is a walking encyclopaedia on how to live off the land, but let’s not overlook the fact that having a human companion is a game-changer. A little chit-chat and camaraderie can make stranded island life a whole lot less lonely. Just a note, Alice will never force someone to go to a stranded island with her.

Outside of lab, Alice is all about diving into new experiences. As a self-proclaimed foodie, she loves exploring diverse cultures through their cuisine. You’ll often find her on a culinary adventure, trying out new restaurants and savouring every bite. Music is her go-to for stress relief and while she used to play the piano, these days she loves to sing and play ukulele. And while she might have missed out on figure skating as a kid, you’ll catch her gliding on ice or wheels whenever she gets the chance.

Mary Hannah is a graduate student in the Microbiology Doctoral Training Program (University of Wisconsin) interested in the microbial ecology of the skin. She calls Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania her home and she received her BS in biochemistry and molecular biology from Pennsylvania State University.

Liz is an MD/PhD student in the Microbiology Doctoral Training Program (University of Wisconsin). Her primary interests include understanding the interactions between the microbiome, human immune system and disease progression, as well as improving patient outcomes. She received a BA in biology and music at St. Olaf College and completed a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Liz is currently completing her MD/PhD program. Her favorite part is having the ability to fill a translational role, where she can bridge projects and connect people in the fields of medicine and scientific research.

Sherrie is an undergraduate student majoring in molecular and cell biology (University of Wisconsin) interested in microbial interactions. She is a pre-med student, who currently wants to pursue medicine as a future career path.

Kayla is an undergraduate student majoring in microbiology (University of Wisconsin). She likes to learn more about microorganisms and how they can impact society.